Most cover letters that get rejected are not rejected because the candidate was unqualified. They are rejected because the letter gave the recruiter a reason to stop reading. These are the most common mistakes that kill your chances before you even get to the first interview.
Opening With “I Am Writing to Apply For…”
This opener is the most overused line in job applications. It is so common that recruiters have trained their eyes to skip it. The recruiter already knows you are applying. Start with something that earns their attention instead: a specific accomplishment, a sharp observation about the company, or a bold, relevant statement.
Restating Your Resume Line by Line
A cover letter is not a second resume. If you are summarizing your work history the same way your resume already does, the letter is doing nothing for you. The cover letter is where you connect the dots, tell the story, and explain the why behind your career that bullet points cannot capture. For more on this, see our guide on cover letter vs. no cover letter.
Making It All About What You Want
Many cover letters focus almost entirely on what the candidate is looking for in their next role. Recruiters do not hire people to fulfill their career ambitions, they hire people to solve a problem. Reframe everything around what you bring to them, not what the role offers you.
Generic Letters That Could Be Sent Anywhere
If you could replace the company name in your letter with any other company and it would still make perfect sense, the letter is too generic. Recruiters can spot form letters immediately, and they signal low interest and low effort. Reference something specific about the company, the team, or the product.
Typos or Getting the Company Name Wrong
Sending a letter with a typo, the wrong company name, or the wrong job title is an immediate disqualifier for most recruiters. It signals a lack of attention to detail, which is one of the core things a cover letter is meant to demonstrate. Proofread every single application before you send it. For more on this, see our guide on cover letter mistakes that get you ignored.
Closing Without a Clear Ask
Ending with “I hope to hear from you” is a passive close that leaves the decision entirely with them. A better close makes a direct ask: “I would love to set up a 20-minute call to discuss how my background fits this role.” You are not being pushy, you are demonstrating initiative.
Read next
- How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter That Works
- Cover Letter for a Recent Graduate: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Write a Cover Letter That Actually Gets Read
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always include a cover letter?
Include one when requested, when writing ability is core to the role, or when you need to explain context your resume cannot. For high-volume technical roles, it is often not read.
How long should a cover letter be?
Three to four short paragraphs, 200-300 words maximum. If you are writing more, you are probably repeating your resume.
What should the first sentence of a cover letter say?
Start with something specific. “I have spent four years doing exactly what this role requires” beats “I am excited to apply for this position.”
What should I leave out of a cover letter?
Do not restate your resume, explain why you need the job, apologize for gaps, or use clichés. Every sentence should add information not already in the resume.
Most cover letters fail because they summarize the resume rather than add to it. A recruiter reading your cover letter already has your resume in hand. They do not need you to recap it. What they want to know is why this role, at this company, is one you are genuinely excited about, and what specific experience makes you a stronger candidate than the other 150 applicants who also ticked all the required boxes.
The best cover letters I have seen treat the format like a brief business proposal. They open with a specific observation about the company or role, connect that observation to a relevant achievement, and close with a clear next step. This structure respects the hiring manager’s time while demonstrating that you have done real research rather than sending a mass application. For more on this, see our guide on write an internship cover letter that stands out.
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